Hi all,

I am moving to Hong Kong from Australia to work at HKU, some time in March. I am a herpetologist, and all the frog and snake stories I've seen on this forum make Lamma look absolutely ideal!

I've also read that the real estate market has been great since the ferry crash, but it is really hard to find more than a few (usually old) rental apartments online. Is there a website that is good for Lamma or any method I should be employing that I'm not aware of?

Thanks,

Evan

Bit dark using the word `great' in reference to a ferry crash that killed 39 people!!!

But that aside I havent noticed any drop in the market since the crash. There arent really any online rental sites, you need to get on the island and go to one of several estate agents on Lamma.

Apologies, that was a bad choice of words. Perhaps cheap.

Thanks for the advice.

Evan

I know a few people on Lamma who might need the services of a herpetologist.

Rental prices for a 700 sq ft 2/F flat close to pier seem to be running at about $15,000 at the moment. In Kennedy Town, which is closer to the University, that amount will get you about 400 sq ft gross (in the city you loose about 50-100 sq ft on common areas - lift space, lobby and unusable balconies).

Be prepared to pay about $30,000 for anything decent near the University. At least on Lamma 700 sq ft means exactly that - and if you have a roof that's double the space - at least for swinging in. Remember there are no cars on Lamma which makes moving in a bit more of a hassle - but there are ways and means.

P.s. there are a few frog botherers on here who will probably jump in to help once they hear you croaking.

Services of a herpetologist? I assume that mean snake wrangling, which is definitely not a hobby of mine (not a smart idea to play with snakes in Australia). I do like them from a distance, however, and the bamboo pit viper that I've heard is over there has me very excited.

I'm more of a frog person, and I'm very glad to hear that I won't be alone in that

Welcome, Frog Person!

A few more nature and animal lovers are always welcome! Our extensive and noisy frog choirs of several species will serenade you through many a night. Be careful during spawning season not to step on any of the numerous frogs on our often dark paths.

My pet frog in my Rooftop Jungle also welcomes you (I think), even though I never figured out how it got onto my rooftop in the first place (tiled walls, no outside staircase, neighbouring buildings or nearby trees).

In the meantime, search for "frog" and "Frog Lady" at the top of this forum or on the home page and you'll find numerous stories and loads of photos of Lamma's frogs, we've probably got all local species covered, I think.

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Nancy, the amphibian specialist, has unfortunately departed.

However, there's still "Goatee Toni" professional snake wrangler, in Sok Kwu Wan.
http://www.goateetoni.com/

Nancy still returns during the summer months to carry on her research!

I've had a look through the flora and fauna section, and it all looks very cool! I have seen every frog species within a few hundred kilometre radius of where I currently live, so it is very exciting to move somewhere where everything is new (and abundant by the sounds of it). If you see someone stalking around with a camera at night, I promise it's for entirely legitimate reasons (check out/like my fb page http://www.facebook.com/CrypsisNaturePhotography )

On a completely unrelated not, how does one get furniture and large items to and around the island?

I beg to differ. I have a couple of friends who have left Lamma recently and moved to Kennedy Town. In the old part of KT I admit.... sturdy buildings that have high ceilings and a neighbourhood that still has character, but very clean and renovated, and pet friendly areas with greenery where you can walk the dog.

Both are paying 15K. one is 900 square feet with a view and an enclosed balcony, which is helpful for them as they have cats. Transportation frequent, easy and you can find everything you need outside your door, even numerous buses to the University. The other is an 800 sq ft flat with a sea view.

And I am 'assuming' that you know about the 'Romer Tree Frog'? You need to speak to Nancy.


On the other side of things..... find a flat on Lamma It would be really silly not to regarding your profession. And all 'animal/creature/nature' people are always more than welcome:-)

The best way is to come to Lamma for the day (midweek) and just look at as many flats as you can. Pick a sunny day. It's amazing the difference. Avoid Sundays for flat hunting... you will head back to HK Island exhausted and go off the idea.

It would be great to have another herpetologist on the island, although you and Nancy might have to duke it out for the Frog King/Queen title in the summer. But actually the variety of amphibians and reptiles is limited on Lamma - there is a greater variety of species in the central and northern New Territories (not so convenient for HKU though).

I learnt about Romer's tree frog years ago by somehow stumbling across an article on it. It's a pretty cool story.

So did you make it? Or are you still at the airport watching the flicker board?

Flying over 2 weeks from yesterday. Still haven't sorted out a place to live, though.

If you go for a frog study trip on Lamma please do let me know. I was a student in ecology, and recently keep wondering what species of frogs are calling day and night, and especially loud when I try to fall asleep.

(Don't get me wrong, I love wildlife!)